Our peach cobbler with canned peaches and flaky pie crust is a classic soul food dessert recipe! It’s also super easy to make with just a few ingredients.
Follow our easy, step-by-step recipe instructions updated with pictures and video!
There’s nothing I love more than a bowl of warm peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream. It’s my absolute favorite dessert recipe, especially around the holidays. Dare I say I love it even more than sweet potato pie or caramel cake?!
There’s just something about the juicy peaches swimming in the sweet, syrupy filling and doughy, pillowy pie crust. The cinnamon and nutmeg flavors are mouthwatering!
The easiest way to make this peach cobbler is to use canned peaches and refrigerated pie crust. Some critics will argue that cobblers are required to have a biscuit dough topping made with a batter, but this old fashioned peach cobbler recipe is made with a humble pie crust. That’s how everybody in my family, and my husband’s family makes it.
Whether it’s your first time trying soul food style Southern peach cobbler, or you’re wanting a taste of something familiar, this is easy recipe does not disappoint. We’ve made it over and over again so it’s guaranteed to come out just right!
What we love about this recipe
- It uses simple ingredients: This easy peach cobbler with canned peaches uses basic pantry staples. It’s perfect for a quick and delicious dessert that doesn’t require a lot of time or skill.
- It’s an old school recipe: Brings back memories of the fruit cobblers made by grandmas and aunties.
Ingredient Notes
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Canned Peaches: This peach cobbler with canned peaches recipe calls for 2 cans of peaches in heavy syrup. The syrup adds extra sweetness and contributes to the consistency of the filling. Canned sliced peaches in juice are less sweet and have a lighter flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a hint of tartness to balance the sweetness of the peaches.
- Vanilla Extract, Ground Cinnamon, and Ground Nutmeg: For all the best flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Helps to create a luscious filling. If using salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling. You can adjust the amount based on your preference.
- Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt: If using a different brand or type of salt, start with a small amount and adjust to taste. Different salts have varying levels of saltiness.
- Pie Crust: Pre-made pie crusts, like Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake, are convenient and easy to work with.
- Water and All-Purpose Flour: Acts as a thickening agent for the filling.
Canned Peaches vs. Fresh Peaches
I prefer the convenience of canned peaches. They are available year-round (no waiting for peach season) and require minimal preparation since they come pre-peeled and pre-sliced. Canned peaches are also consistent in flavor and texture so you always get a reliable result. If using ripe peaches, like we did for this Southern peach cobbler recipe, you have to peel the peach skin and that can be a real pain.
Peach cobbler pie crust
Some people like to crimp the edges or do a lattice crust, but usually I just lay the crust on top and make a slit to vent. The bottom crust soaks up all the peach syrup, becoming soft, doughy, and flavorful (my favorite part), while the top crust stays flaky.
Recipe substitutions and variations
- Peach Cobbler with Frozen Peaches: Toss the frozen peaches into a big bowl, throw in your ingredients, give it a good stir, pour it into your baking dish, and pop it in the oven.
- Cobbler Topping: For a biscuit-like, cakey topping, you can make a quick and easy cobbler batter. Whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pour in 1 cup milk and whisk until smooth and well combined. Pour cobbler filling into a greased baking dish, then spoon the cobbler batter evenly over the peaches, but do not stir. Bake until lightly golden brown on top, about 35 to 40 minutes.
- Lattice Topping: If you do a lattice topping, allow the filling to cool completely, and make sure the dough is chilled so that it’s easy to handle. SimplyRecipes.com has a great tutorial for how to make a lattice top.
How do you make peach cobbler with canned peaches?
Detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. Give it a good mix and set it aside.
Step 2: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a medium-sized pot on your stove over medium-high heat. Add canned peaches in heavy syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon juice, nutmeg, butter, sugar, and salt to the medium saucepan.
Step 3: As the butter melts completely, gently stir to mix well.
Step 4: Next, reduce heat to medium and pour in the flour slurry you made earlier. Keep stirring to create a thick filling. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 5: Grease a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or butter. Roll out one ready-made pie crust (or homemade crust). Cut the dough into a square to fit the base of the dish and up the sides. Carefully pour your filling in the baking dish. Place the other pie crust on top of the peaches.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is light golden brown and bubbling. Once it’s done, let cobbler cool down some. Finally, serve family-style in the baking dish. Spoon warm portions out with a side of vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
How to serve peach cobbler
Warm peach cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is a classic combination.
If it’s just come out the oven, let it cool down for a few minutes. Then serve family style using a large serving spoon. Scoop out portions into individual bowls and enjoy!
Easy recipe tips
- Drain Some Syrup for Less Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet cobbler, consider draining some of the heavy syrup from the canned peaches before adding them to the pot.
- Customize Your Spices: If you like more spice, feel free to increase the cinnamon or nutmeg. You can also experiment with other spices like ground cloves, ginger, or allspice.
- Use a Lattice Top: For a more traditional look, you can cut the top pie crust into strips and create a lattice pattern. This also allows more steam to escape, keeping the crust crisp.
- Brush the Crust for Extra Flavor: Brushing the top crust with some of the leftover filling adds flavor and helps achieve a golden, glossy finish. You can also use an egg wash (1 beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water) for an even shinier crust.
- Check for Bubbling: When baking, make sure the cobbler is bubbling around the edges before taking it out of the oven. This ensures that the filling has thickened properly.
- Let It Cool Before Serving: Allow the cobbler to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This gives the filling time to set and makes it easier to serve.
Troubleshooting peach cobbler with canned peaches
If your peach cobbler filling is too thin.
Water and flour can be combined to make a thickening agent. This mixture is commonly known as a “flour slurry.” When heated, the starch in the flour absorbs the liquid and swells, thickening the filling. It’s a common and simple way to add thickness to a variety of dishes, and it’s similar to a roux (a mixture of flour and fat) in cooking to create a base for many sauces.
- Mix 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.
- Add the slurry to the peach cobbler filling.
Another thing you can do, is to let the peach cobbler cool for about 15 to 30 minutes. This will allow the filling to set some.
Make ahead peach cobbler with canned peaches
Making peach cobbler ahead of time can be a convenient way to prepare this delicious dessert for holidays or other special occasions.
- After baking, allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover the entire cobbler in the dish it was baked in.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Commonly asked questions
Summary
Our easy peach cobbler with canned peaches and a flaky pie crust is a quick, soul food dessert recipe that everyone will love. Add a scoop of ice cream and enjoy!
Peach Cobbler with Canned Peaches
Ingredients
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans of peaches sliced, in heavy syrup
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (8 tablespoons)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 pinch Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt (start with less and adjust to taste if using any other type of salt)
- 1 (2 count) box store-bought pie crust (example: Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
Special Equipment
- Rolling pin to roll out the pie crust
- 8 x 11-inch baking dish
Instructions
- Create flour slurry: Combine water and flour; whisk until combined. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine canned peaches in heavy syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon juice, nutmeg, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium-sized pot or saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Stir ingredients occasionally and cook until the butter melts completely.
- Pour in flour and water mixture; continue cooking and stirring for an additional 5 minutes, until the peach filling thickens.
- Grease baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray or butter. Roll out one pie crust on a lightly floured surface, and use it to line the bottom of the dish.
- Pour filling over the pie crust in the baking dish. Top it off with the second pie crust, make a slit in the dough to vent, and trim the edges if needed. Alternatively, make a lattice crust design.
- Brush leftover filling from the saucepan over the top crust.
- Bake peach cobbler for 35-40 minutes until it’s golden brown and bubbling; allow it to cool down.
- Serve warm, family-style with vanilla ice cream, if preferred.
Video
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This was my first time using canned peaches to make cobbler and it came out perfectly!! It was so delicious!
I have never thought to make cobbler with canned peaches, but I love this idea. Peach cobbler in the middle of winter? Yes, please!
Sometimes all you have available is canned peaches and this recipe is a great example of how versatile they can be. My family gobble this cobbler in no time!
This is such a great recipe. I love that using canned peaches makes it easy to enjoy this cobbler even when fresh peaches are out of season. Thanks for sharing!
Oh man, that peach cobbler recipe was a game-changer! We topped it with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream and it was pure summer perfection. Thanks a ton for sharing this fantastic recipe – it’s now our go-to dessert for any occasion! 🍑🥧🍦😋
I usually make my peach cobbler with fresh peaches, but since they’re no longer in season, I made this to satisfy a craving and it was just as tasty as when I make it the old-fashioned way!
I can’t believe that I have never made peach cobbler before! This looks amazing! I am definitely adding this to recipes that I am going to make over the weekend. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Lovely idea! A fun twist on pie too…love the layers! I cannot wait to try this but with apples to make it more seasonal ^_^
I’ve made this recipe multiple times now because it’s so easy, and it’s consistently amazing. It’s a fantastic choice for meal prep, or make ahead, and always impresses. The five-star rating is well-deserved.
Like you, I use canned peaches when fresh aren’t in season. This cobbler recipe is so good and easy to make, I’m going to make it at Christmas!
I had never made a cobbler with pie crust before. Between that and using canned peaches, this recipe was so easy and turned out delish!
First time ever we made cobbler with canned peaches, a perfect warm dessert for cold days. An easy and simple dessert that can be made any day.
Canned peaches really do make a difference when one is hosting and is cramped for time! This has been really informative! My cobbler came out PERFECT and your tips on how to make the filling nice and thick really transformed how it turned out. Thank you!
This peach cobbler reminds me of my childhood. I usually use fresh peaches but will keep this recipe in my arsenal because it turned out so well!
This is a Southern classic and a tasty dessert that definitely takes me back to my NC roots! Soooo good!
When making my slurry to thicken the peaches..I use corn starch and the juice from the peaches NOT water..
Yes! That’s one way to do it. We’ve used cornstarch when making peach cobbler using fresh peaches. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you I was wondering if I drained the peaches first or if used the juice and should I buy with heavy syrup or natural juice
Hi there! We did not drain the juice. We used peaches in “heavy syrup”, and dumped the entire can in the saucepan. I hope this helps! -K
Drain the peaches? What size baking dish?
Hi Gerardo! I did not drain the peaches and we used an 8×11 baking dish. Thanks!
I have a similar recipe. It looks delicious
Thanks, Tammy!
Great tips, Thanks….
Thank you! Please let us know how it turns out!
What if all I’ve got is a bag of frozen peaches? Do I boil them in water, sugar etc to make a syrup?
Hey Monica! Absolutely! How big is your bag of peaches? Add the frozen peaches and sugar to a large bowl and let them thaw out completely at room temperature. Then stir flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon juice, and butter into the bowl. Don’t worry about boiling them to make a syrup. They’ll already be syrupy once they unthaw with the sugar.
I made this peach cobbler and had to make another-it was delicious! Mine was really easy and made with canned, sliced peaches.
Definitely will make.it again
Delish!!!!
Love to hear that, Sheila! This peach cobbler is the best. We are thinking of making another similar recipe.
Can I use canned peaches in 100% fruit juice, if so do I up the sugar?
Hi! Absolutely, you can use canned peaches in 100% fruit juice as a substitute for those in heavy syrup. However, since the fruit juice lacks the sweetness of the syrup, we recommend increasing the sugar in your recipe slightly to compensate for this. Additionally, it’s important to drain the peaches thoroughly before using them in your recipe to prevent excess liquid. This will help maintain the desired consistency and flavor. We hope this helps! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.